Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1756-1771 (Creation)
Level of description
Series
Extent and medium
30 bundles
Context area
Name of creator
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Original 'country correspondence', almost all in Persian, covering both Clive's first (1756-1760) and second (1765-1766) governorships of Bengal. A significant proportion of the letters are concerned with political and military affairs in Bengal and also across the Mughal Empire more generally. There are also numerous references to regional trade and taxation, as well as letters entreating Clive to grant pardons or preferment. Much of this correspondence was translated at the time and then recorded, together with the text of Clive's replies, surviving either in original and transcribed letter books or else organised as 'minutes'.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Arranged into 30 bundles, with 50 items to most bundles. Most of the envelopes are inscribed with names of other persons to whom copies of the letters were also sent.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Persian, a few in Bengali and Marathi. Indic scripts have been used in places.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
The dates of some of the letters are dates of receipt rather than dates of creation. These are noted in the descriptions of individual letters.
Note
Preferred citation: CR9